Milwaukee County

State legislation that could lead to cutting Milwaukee County supervisor pay by half and the County Board's budget by two-thirds would harm minority representation, a group of African-American community leaders said Monday.

"This legislation would effectively silence the voice of the low-income community, particularly communities of color," Supervisor Russell Stamper said at a news conference at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center.

The measure would cut the authority of the County Board and boost the power of County Executive Chris Abele, upsetting a balance of power between the two branches of county government, Stamper said. By curtailing pay and resources for supervisors, only the well-to-do could afford to serve on the board, Stamper and other local leaders said.

"We can control our own house; we don't need anybody else watching our house," said Gregory Lewis, pastor of St. Gabriel's Church of God in Christ. "The little people need a say."

The bill calls for a spring 2014 binding referendum to cut supervisor pay by more than 50% to about $24,000 a year, effective after 2016 supervisor elections. The referendum also would eliminate supervisors' health and pension benefits.

Abele disagreed that the measure would deter minority candidates from running for the board. He noted that four African-American candidates seeking a vacant County Board seat in last week's primary election all said they would accept the lower salary if voters approved it in a referendum.

The measure, by state Rep. Joe Sanfelippo (R-West Allis), would also deeply cut the board's $6.5 million budget and enhance the authority of the county executive. Sanfelippo tried unsuccessfully to enact some similar reforms while he was a county supervisor.

In an interview, Sanfelippo said his bill would maintain supervisors' power to act as a check on the county executive's authority but would clarify the executive is the boss of day-to-day county operations.

"There's no major shift of power here," Sanfelippo said.

According to the nonpartisan Legislative Council's analysis, Sanfelippo's bill would "increase certain authorities of the executive (and) decrease certain authorities of the board." For example, supervisors could ask questions of county department heads but the bill bars supervisors from giving any orders to department heads. Sanfelippo said that's aimed at ending meddling in daily operations by supervisors.

Supervisor Theo Lipscomb Sr. said the plain language of Sanfelippo's bill and legislative service agencies' analyses make it clear the measure would significantly shift power from the board to the county executive. That includes a provision that specifically bars the County Board from cutting any staff jobs in the county executive's office or reducing their pay, while also granting the executive authority to add staff.

"There's nothing in here but enhancements to the executive's power," said Lipscomb.

Sanfelippo disputed the notion that only the well-do-do would run for the board if the pay is cut.

"That's just nonsense," Sanfelippo said. Every other county board in Wisconsin is part time, and those panels aren't dominated by millionaires, he said.

Cuts rise to $4.3 million

Savings from the cuts to the board would come to $4.3 million a year after 2016 and could be better invested into county services or upgrading county parks, Sanfelippo said.

Sanfelippo, Abele and other backers of the measure have said the changes are needed to help promote major county government reforms and efficiencies. A lobbying arm of the Greater Milwaukee Committee also is pushing for the measure's approval.

The Abele and GMC connection was pointed to by opponents Monday as evidence that corporate interests were attempting a takeover of county government. The GMC includes heads of local corporations on its board.

U.S. Rep. Gwen Moore (D-Wis.) called the Sanfelippo bill misguided and said it would "ultimately render the local County Board incapable of providing necessary services for the people of Milwaukee County." The board should be allowed to do its own reforms, Moore said in a statement.

At least half of the 18-person County Board supports an alternative and broader county reform effort to be launched this month with a series of community meetings seeking public input.

Sanfelippo said he's been delaying formal introduction of his bill in part to allow the Legislature to deal with a major mining regulation measure first. He had earlier said the introduction would happen weeks ago.

Sanfelippo said he's seeking Democratic support for his measure in the Legislature, but said it would be passed without Democratic input if necessary.

"I have the support to pass my bill whether I have one Democrat, 10 Democrats or no Democrats," he said.